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30 December 2015 Ksenia Solo vs Cristina Scabbia

Page history last edited by Archer844 8 years ago

Ksenia Solo 04.jpg Cristina Scabbia 01.jpg

Posted by Lookout! Boxing on December 30, 2015, 10:23 am

Cristina Scabbia vs. Ksenia Solo (At Christkindlmarkt, Bethlehem, PA.)
(Words: Front Street / Results: Lookout!)

BEFORE:

Bethlehem, Pennsylvania is the "Christmas City" of the United States, and over a million people come to this town between New York and Philadelphia every year for the "Christmas City" festivities, all of which take place under huge heated tents in various parts of the town. Nearby are the cities of Easton, home to former World Heavyweight Champion Larry Holmes, and Nazareth, a city immortalized in the classic song by The Band, "The Weight" ("pulled into Nazareth") in which the protagonist is visiting one of the city's most famous attractions, the Martin Guitar factory. One of the most popular of the "Christmas City" attractions is Christkindlmarkt, which is located on the grounds of the abandoned Bethlehem Steelworks, once one of the largest steel mills in the world. And, this year, as part of Christkindlmarkt, a special tent has been erected for a special attraction, five FCBA fights, which will be part of the "Season's Beatings" pay-per-view. And, all the fighters will be dressed for the season. Santa outfits, are, of course, verboten, as there will be no infringement on the Winstead gimmick, so, instead, our ladies are wearing elf bikinis, which serve their purpose well.

The first match up from Bethlehem features hard-hitting Italian Cristina Scabbia, who has had quite the run in the BBU and is sanguine about her chances in her FCBA debut. "This girl," Cristina says dismissively, "Is all about dancing around and powder-puff punching. She can't stand up to real power. And, she's going to FEEL real power tonight."

Her opponent will be the bewitching Ksenia Solo. "Cristina's sort of right about one thing," says the Latvian beauty. "SOMEone's going to feel real power tonight. Unfortunately for Cristina, it's going to be HER."

ROUND ONE:

Solo right to the legs, looking to play the exact game she did against Lucy Hale. She wants to manage pressure with movement and a sharp, accurate jab. Scabbia walking through the jab, however, working her feet, trying to cut and square, wants to bring the younger woman to battle and work some body, take a toll on those legs. Both women have some of what they want. There are long stretches of Ksenia showing excellent movement and scoring with the left hand, but those are offset nicely by short bursts of heavy fire from Scabbia, when she's able to close and bang with the younger fighter. Solo works hard to keep those exchanges short, willing to tie up and shove if necessary to get free, bu Scabbia makes the most of her opportunities. She doesn't hurt Ksenia, but she scores, and she bangs body. A lot of body. Making a serious investment she's confident will pay off as the fight goes on. At the bell it's close to Scabbia, who leads 10-9.

ROUND TWO:

More pressure from Cristina, and more effective pressure. She's got Solo's movements figured out now, and she's cutting the ring very well, crowding the Latvian, and going to work in a big way, concentrating on that body. She's pounding midsection with hooks, backing Solo up with hard right hands to the head, getting her against the ropes and getting some serious work done. Solo tries to clinch, force breaks, but Scabbia very physical, punching or shoving free, keeping the leather flying. As the round goes on, it gets worse and worse for Ksenia. She's spending more and more time covering up as Scabbia is not only calling the tune but playing the sucker, and her instruments are Solo's midsection and rib cage, which get quite the work out. By the end of the round, the younger woman is leaning back in the ropes in a tight guard taking. It's Scabbia wide, and the cards now show the older woman on top 20-18.

ROUND THREE:

Solo the recipient of some serious chalk talk in between rounds. Corner reminds her that Scabbia is 43 years old and that the fight plan is to get her to chase. And, you know, for her to have to chase, you have to MOVE. Solo moves. A back step is the key. It gives her some space with which to jab and circle, changes the geometry, and prevents Scabbia from crowding and banging as effectively as she did in the second. But, Cristina is still able to do so in spots, and, when she does, again, she makes it count. She may be 43, but she doesn't LOOK 43 when she's banging body in close, or backing the younger woman up with solid shot to the head. And, she doesn't look 43 as she moves smoothly in the stalk while Solo jabs and circles, either. Like the first round, this one is close, but, this time it's Ksenia who gets a bit more done and is able to claim the points and cut Cristina's lead to 29-28.

ROUND FOUR:

More of the same. Both fighters have found something they like, and they mean to stick with their respective plans. Solo the matador, jab, jab, jabbing as Scabbia plays bull, moving forward, looking to close, looking to use those dangerous horns. There's nothing in it for the first minute and a half, but everything changes at that point, because the bull gets GORED. Ksenia catches Cristina coming forward with a perfectly-timed right hand. Scabbia stumbles, nearly falls to her knees. And Solo is on her in an instant, letting loose a barrage of leather that has the Italian beauty backing and covering, in serious trouble. Cristina's sturdy legs are tested again and again over the next minute or so, as Ksenia lands several clean shots, but they aren't found wanting. In addition, the crafty veteran manages to stay off the ropes, and, by the end of the round, even do a little counter punching. But, there's no question about who gets the points in this one. It's Solo wide, and we're even at 38.

ROUND FIVE:

Scabbia's back on the hunt, and Solo is back to being elusive quarry. Cristina stalking patiently, carefully, looking to match footwork and bring the Latvian to battle. Solo not trying to get caught. She aims to stay in open canvas where she can use the legs to create space, and use that space to box the determined Italian. Matador. And Bull. Until the matador BECOMES the bull. Again, it happens in an instant, but, this time, it's not an opportunity seized, but an opportunity MADE. Solo stops, sets, BOOM! A right hook from her hip with everything she has behind it. Scabbia, caught nearly flush, stumbles back, but somehow remains on her feet. Until Solo steps forward and unleashes hell. A barrage of seven punches that send the Italian crumpling, face first, to the canvas. Scabbia manages to lift her head and look up at the referee, but, all she can do is watch the number of fingers increase until all the digits are showing. It's over. And your winner by KO5 is Ksenia Solo!

AFTER:

Solo all smiles after an impressive finish to this one. "I was all about boxing her," the brunette says, still out of breath from the exertion of the fight. "But, my corner kept telling me to take my shots. Don't force anything, but, if there's an opportunity to take a chance and land something big, do it. And I DID it!"